Charge-ordered manganites of composite Pr{sub 1{minus}x}(Ca{sub 1{minus}y}Sr{sub y}){sub x}MnO{sub 3} exhibit persistent photoconductivity when illuminated by x-rays. The authors review transport and x-ray diffraction data as functions of x-ray exposure, magnetic field, and temperature which shed light on the origin of this unusual behavior. The experimental evidence suggests that the mechanism primarily involves a ferromagnetic polarization of local spins by hot electrons generated by the x-rays.
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